Plasma directed electron beam wound care system apparatus and method

Abstract

A plasma generating device that utilizes a cold plasma to contain and direct a stream of electrons with a hand held nozzle to enhance healing of wounds and skin surface abnormalities, and to kill pathogens on skin surfaces in humans and animals wounds, abnormalities and pathogens.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for treating wounds comprising:
 a hollow electrode having a sealed end and an open end, and at least one aperture in the hollow electrode; the electrode being configured to generate an electron beam from the sealed end of the electrode; 
 the electrode being axially disposed within a tube, the tube being configured for establishing a shaped plasma sheath for directing the electron beam formed by the electrode; 
 the at least one aperture in the electrode being configured surface to permit flow of introduced gas through both the electrode and a surrounding gap formed between the electrode and the tube such that the gas flows in a laminar manner to establish a waveguide for the electron beam; 
 a gas supply connected to the open end of said electrode; and 
 a power supply connected to said electrode for energization of said plasma sheath and establishment of said electron beam such that said plasma sheath contains and directs said electron beam, wherein the power supply is configured to power the device in a power range of from about 5 watts to about 30 watts. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1  wherein said voltage supply includes one of a radio frequency oscillator, a pulsed DC generator, a square wave generator, a saw-tooth generator, a 50 cycle AC generator, a 60 cycle generator and a DC voltage supply. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 2  further including an impedance matching circuit connected between said electrode and said voltage source. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 3  wherein said impedance matching circuit includes at least one of an adjustable inductance and an adjustable capacitance. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4  wherein said adjustable component is manually adjustable. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 4  wherein said adjustable component is automatically adjustable. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 3  further including at least one nozzle with said electrode and tube being disposed within said nozzle, said nozzle providing direction for said shaped plasma sheath. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 7 , further including a manifold carrying the at least one nozzle and providing coverage over a surface area for said shaped plasma sheath. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 8  wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through the manifold. 
     
     
       10. A method for providing care of a wound comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the device of  claim 1 ; 
 (b) energizing the electrode to establish a Plasma Directed Electron Beam (PDEB) and to create a supply of electrons and photons that are guided within the plasma sheath; and 
 (c) directing the PDEB toward a wound. 
 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the electrode provided in step (a) is disposed within a hand held nozzle to allow direction of the PDEB. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 11  wherein the gas supply provides a mixture of oxygen and an inert gas, the gas cooperating with the PDEB to form atomic oxygen. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 11  wherein step (c) includes moving the nozzle with small circular motions over an area on the circumference of the wound and then linking a series of such movements in a generally spiral path toward the center of the wound and then completing the treatment with brush stroke movements across the center of the wound. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the electrode provided in step (a) is disposed within a manifold to allow direction of the PDEB over a surface area. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 11  wherein the method is used for the desiccation of dead pathogens to lessen the biological load in a wound area and thereby reduce the amount of fluids present in the wound area. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 11  wherein the method is used to enhance the healing of a wound area. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrode generates sufficient energy such that the plasma sheath serves as a waveguide for transmission of a coherent, non-axially propagating electromagnetic wave. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the device operates at 1,250 volts and 8 milliamps. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the device operates at a frequency of about 13.56 mHz. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the device operates at frequencies in the range of 50 to 900 mHz. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the device includes at least one RF generator configured to supply a carrier frequency over which other frequencies are sent to the wound. 
     
     
       22. A method of enhancing the healing of wounds and skin surface abnormalities and to kill pathogens on a skin surface of a human or an animal, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) energizing an electrode axially contained within a tube to establish a stream of electrons and photons; 
 (b) providing a supply of gas to the tube to establish a cold plasma to contain and direct the stream of electrons and photons; and 
 (c) orienting the electrode to direct the stream of electrons and photons toward a skin surface of a human or an animal for enhancing the healing of wounds and skin surface abnormalities and to kill pathogens thereon.